Anakin wrestles with the controls. He races the ship down in the atmosphere,
trying to avoid the same fate that befell his escorts.

AMIDALA

What's going on?!

R2D2 whistles and chirps worriedly. Artoo plugs into the computer to assist
Anakin.

ANAKIN

We've got company.

The comlink crackles as a message comes through.

AURRA SING (O.S.)

Anakin, time to come out and play.

EXT ANAKIN'S SHIP - CONTINUING

Anakin races low along the plains of Alderaan. Aurra Sing's ship and Slave I
follow in close pursuit.

Anakin sees some canyons ahead. He drops his ship into them. He weaves and
turns expertly around every corner. Still he cannot shake his pursuers. Blaster
fire rains around Anakin's ship, knocking debris from the canyon walls down
around the ship.

INT ANAKIN'S SHIP - CONTINUING

Shmi closes her eyes and whispers to herself, almost praying. Amidala screams
and jumps at every new obstacle ahead. Anakin grits his teeth in concentration
as he accelerates.

AMIDALA

Look out!

ANAKIN

I see it, I see it.

AMIDALA

That rock-

ANAKIN

Do you want to fly this thing?

AMIDALA

I'm just trying-

ANAKIN

Well it's not working.

A huge wall looms up in front of them.

ANAKIN

Oh no. Hold on.

Anakin points the ship directly up. He races up out of the canyon.

EXT ALDERAAN - CANYONS - CONTINUING

Aurra Sing slows her ship. Boba Fett rapidly decelerates, to avoid crashing
into her. They both rise out of the canyon. Anakin's ship is nowhere to be seen.

BOBA FETT (O.S.)

You let him get away.

AURRA SING (O.S.)

What can I say? The boy's good.

Boba Fett fires a shot at Aurra Sing's ship. It is easily absorbed by her
deflector shields.

Stop it! Stop it right now. You've done nothing but complain about Palpatine
and this war. The Queen is dead! Don't you understand that? She's dead! She's
not coming back! You have to carry on what she started.

Bail rises angrily from his seat.

BAIL ANTILLES

You go too far, handmaiden.

Amidala wipes her tears with the back of her hand and faces Bail's challenge.

AMIDALA

I speak only the truth, and it cuts you to the core. Without the Queen to
hide behind, you're nothing. Mon Mothma isn't here. You stand alone in your
cowardice, Senator.

BAIL ANTILLES

Enough! I will not hear any more of your lies!

Obi Wan stops Amidala's next onslaught by holding up his hand.

OBI WAN KENOBI

The girl speaks the truth. You can't hide your feelings any longer. You must
choose. Not Mon Mothma, you, Bail Organa, must choose whether or not to aid the
Jedi in this war.

CUT TO:

INT CORUSCANT - GALACTIC SENATE - DAY

Supreme Chancellor Palpatine stands before the Senate. Three boxes are
noticeably empty.

PALPATINE

Friends and Senators, it is with grave concern that I address you this day.
Our troops have suffered devastating losses in their battle with the
Mandalorians.

A worried MURMUR runs through the Senate.

PALPATINE

There is only one path open to us - a full counteroffensive attack.

The MURMUR grows to a ROAR.

PALPATINE

We must use every available resource to battle this terrible enemy. If needs
be, we will fight a galactic war.